System and method for head protection device

ABSTRACT

A system and method for a head protection device designed for pitchers that is made up of a plurality of segments whereby the head protection device may be inserted into a band or liner of a baseball cap with a portion extending downward to provide greater protection of the temple/pterion area of the skull and brain by allowing the zygomatic arch and the upper temporal area of the skull to absorb the impact of a ball striking directly on the temple/pterion area.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/258,525 filed on May 11, 2021 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The overall field of this invention is a system and method for a head protection device and more particularly to protective inserts and liners to be worn under the wearer's hat or cap.

BACKGROUND

Every single pitch in a Major League Baseball game can potentially end in death. One high-velocity fastball gets away from a pitcher and hits a batter in the face, and the results could be catastrophic. Unfortunately, baseball has always been reactive, rather than proactive, to these certain events. Hitters weren't required to wear helmets until 1958, even after a player being killed from being hit by a pitch in the head in 1920. Netting wasn't mandatory along the dugouts until 2018 to protect fans of screaming line drives, despite thousands upon thousands of severe injuries over the years. In 2016, Major League Baseball was designing protective headgear after five pitchers were hit with comeback line drives the previous season. About 20 pitchers were given prototypes, yet none committed to the equipment beyond spring training. This is because the players thought the prototypes were too cumbersome or were not stylish. Many baseball pitchers are also hit in the temple area of the skull by line drives. Thus exists the need for a new and improved head protector for pitchers and other users that is easy to use and protects the most vulnerable parts of the user's head.

SUMMARY

The embodiments of the present invention are directed to a head protection device that will be positioned inside of a baseball or softball cap to provide protection to the skull and brain. The curvature and structure of this device covers the most vulnerable parts of the brain, such as the temple area of the brain. This invention will provide a bridge like structure over the temporal area of the brain by supporting the zygomatic arch to the top of the temple area. This configuration provides more protection to the vulnerable area of the temple of the user. The shape of the device also prevents the device from being pressed into the eye or temple soft areas. The device is unique because it takes into consideration the anatomy of the skull and brain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an illustration of the head protection device in use.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustration of the layers of the head protection device.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustration of the head protection device in a hat.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustration the head protection device.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustration of the head protection device.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustration of the head protection device.

FIG. 7 depicts an illustration of the head protection device.

FIG. 8 depicts an illustration of the head protection device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).

“Exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described in this document as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects.

Throughout the drawings, like reference characters are used to designate like elements. As used herein, the term “coupled” or “coupling” may indicate a connection. The connection may be a direct or an indirect connection between one or more items. Further, the term “set” as used herein may denote one or more of any item, so a “set of items,” may indicate the presence of only one item, or may indicate more items. Thus, the term “set” may be equivalent to “one or more” as used herein.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the one or more embodiments described herein. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of head protection device 100 in accordance with the present invention. Head protection device may be injection molded or constructed using a variety of methods. Head protection device 100 covers the temple of the user's head and also extends backward and forward to protect an area of the back of the head and an area of the front of the head. Head protection device 100 may be positioned on the left side or right side of the hat as well as both sides. Head protection device 100 may have different variation for left handed pitchers and right handed pitchers. Head protection device 100 may have a multitude of sizes to fit all types of baseball caps. Head protection device 100 may be connected to the baseball cap by one or more zip tags. However, this is non-limiting and may use any fasteners known by those of ordinary skill in the art such as hinges, latches, brackets or adhesive. In some embodiments the hat and head protection device 100 may be initially constructed a single items.

Head protection device 100 may have a hard outer shell made 210 of materials such as polycarbonates or plastics, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Head protection device 100 may have a first foam inner shell 220 that is in contact with the user and covers an entirety of outer shell 230. Foam inner shell 220 may be an EVA foam or any kind of padding to further decrease the impact of a baseball. For example, polyurethane padding may be used for comfort and protection. Head protection device 100 may have additional soft second layer 230 which may have gel or soft material that is flexible that hardens to air or chemics, whereby second inner soft shell 230 covers the entirety of hard shell 210 except for a portion under a hat band of the hat. Head protection device 100 may have third inner soft shell 240 that has two strips of foam positioned at a bottom and near a top of head protection device 100.

Head protection device 100 may be made up of a series of segments 102 which are slightly overlapped to provide greater coverage when impacted by a ball while increasing the surface area while still giving flexibility for head protection device 100. In further non-limiting embodiments, segments 102 may be adjacent to one another instead of overlapping. Segments 102 may have a plurality of apertures 103 to increase airflow throughout head protection device 100.

A first segment 112 may be positioned near a front of the baseball cap when inserted whereby first segment 112 may have a semioval shape with a curve pointing in the forward direction. A second segment 114 may be overlapping or adjacent to first segment 112 whereby second segment 114 is positioned rearward of first segment 112. In further non-limiting embodiments first segment 112 and second segment 114 may both oval or semi-spherical or rectangular in shape or other combinations thereof. A third segment 116 may be positioned rearward of second segment 114 whereby third segment 116 has a downward u-shape with an elongated lateral component at a center. Two prong portions are positioned at the end of the lateral component whereby the two prong portions are curved at their bottom edges.

A fourth segment 118 may be connected to and extending downward from the lateral component of third segment 116 whereby one or more slits 104 are produced between fourth segment 118 and the two prong portions. In some non-limiting embodiments fourth segment 118 and third segment 116 are a single segment made of two portions or may be separate segments. Slits 104 allow head protection device 100 to be easily moved and placed into a ball cap whereby first segment 112 and second segment 114 would be positioned partially into the band of the hat. Slits 104 also allow fourth segment 118 to be positioned outside of the hat to cover and protect the lower temporal side of the user.

Fourth segment 118 is designed to help absorb the impact of a ball by transferring the energy to the zygomatic arch from the weaker temple/pterion area and has a cup or bowl or bridge like shape with concave surface structure. Fourth segment 118 provide greater protection of the temple/pterion area of the skull & brain by allowing the zygomatic arch and the upper temporal area of the skull to absorb the impact of a ball striking directly on the temple/pterion area. Fourth segment 118 may extend downward at a first end into a vertical edge that makes up one surface that forms slit 104 and near second segment 114. Vertical edge may extend into and curve downward into a diagonal edge that is directed rearward. The diagonal edge may extend downward and curve into a second vertical edge. The second vertical edge may extend and curve into a first curved edge that extends rearward and upward whereby the first curved edge extends farther upward than rearward. First curved edge extends into a second diagonal edge whereby the second diagonal edge extends further rearward. The second diagonal edge extends upward into a third vertical segment that makes up a surface that forms slit 104 near fifth segment 122.

A fifth segment 122 may be positioned rearward of third segment 116 when inserted into a hat whereby fifth segment 122 may have a rectangular shape with a greater height than width. A sixth segment 124 may be overlapping or adjacent to fifth segment 122 whereby sixth segment 124 may be positioned rearward of fifth segment 122 and have an oval shape pointing rearward in an opposite direction of first segment 112. In further non-limiting embodiments fifth segment 122 and second segment 126 may be both oval or semi-spherical or rectangular in shape or any combination thereof. Fifth segment 122 or sixth segment 124 may have one or more protrusions extending downward with a curved structure such that the protrusions may be placed behind a person's ear to protect the area behind the ear of the wearer.

In one or more embodiments additional segments 102 may be added to first segment 112 and sixth segment 124 for users with larger heads or depending on the situation needed whereby segments may have one or more snap connectors or other fastenable elements to connect to additional segments 102. In one or more other non-limiting embodiments head protection device may be a single uniform piece instead of multiple segments 102.

In further embodiments head protection device 100 may protect both sides of the user's head with two segments extending downward to protect the zygomatic arches on either side of the user's head. In this configuration head protection device 100 may have a seventh segment connected to first segment 112 whereby the seventh segment is structured similar to third segment 116 with an eighth segment extending downward which is similar to fourth segment 118. A ninth segment and tenth segment similar to fifth segment 122 and sixth segment may then be connected to the other side of the seventh segment.

During use when a ball strikes directly over the temple/pterion area of a person's skull but strikes head protection device 100 first, the impact/energy is spread because of the bridge like structure that disperse the force to the outer edges of head protection device 100 and to the zygomatic arch and upper temporal areas where these bones are much stronger and the impact is spread out over these stronger bone areas, because of how my device is shaped/bridged/curved over the temple/pterion area.

The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best use the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications suited to the use contemplated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A head protection device for a hat made of a plurality of segments wherein a first segment is configured to provide protection of a temple area by allowing a zygomatic arch and an upper temporal area of a skull to absorb impact of a ball striking directly on the temple area, wherein the first segment has extends downward at a first end into a vertical edge, wherein the vertical edge extends downward into diagonal edge that is directed rearward, wherein, the diagonal edge extends downward into a second vertical edge, wherein the second vertical edge extends into a first curved edge that extends rearward and upward wherein the first curved edge extends farther upward than rearward, wherein the first curved edge extends into a second diagonal edge wherein the second diagonal edge extends further rearward, wherein the second diagonal edge extends upward into a third vertical segment.
 2. The head protection device of claim 1, further comprising one or more slits allowing the head protection device to be inserted into a band of the hat, the one or more slits having a first slit positioned adjacent the vertical edge and a second slit adjacent to the third vertical segment.
 3. The head protection device of claim 1, wherein the head protection device has an outer hard shell.
 4. The head protection device of claim 3, wherein the head protection device has an inner soft shell that covers an entirety of the outer hard shell.
 5. The head protection device of claim 4, wherein the head protection device has a second inner soft shell that covers the entirety of the outer hard shell except for a portion under a hat band of the hat.
 6. The head protection device of claim 5, wherein the inner soft shell is made of a polyurethane padding, wherein the second inner soft shell is made of a gel.
 7. The head protection device of claim 6, wherein the head protection device has a third inner soft shell that has two strips of foam positioned at a bottom of the first segment and near a top of the head protection device.
 8. The head protection device of claim 1, further comprising a second segment mirroring the first segment wherein the second segment is positioned opposite of the first segment.
 9. A head protection device comprising a first segment that is semioval in shape wherein a first curve of the first segment is facing forward, a second segment connected to and rearward of the first segment, the second segment rectangular in shape, a third segment connected to and rearward of the second segment, the third segment having a first portion with downward u shape with a lateral component extending downward into two prong portions at ends of the lateral component, a second portion connected below the first segment, wherein two slits are formed between the second portion and the two prong portions, wherein the second portion is configured to provide protection of a temple area by allowing a zygomatic arch and an upper temporal area of a skull to absorb impact of a ball striking directly on the temple area, wherein the second portion extends downward at a first end into a vertical edge that makes up one surface that forms slit and is near the second segment, wherein the vertical edge extends downward into diagonal edge that is directed rearward, wherein, the diagonal edge extends downward into a second vertical edge, wherein the second vertical edge extends into a first curved edge that extends rearward and upward wherein the first curved edge extends farther upward than rearward, wherein the first curved edge extends into a second diagonal edge wherein the second diagonal edge extends further rearward, wherein the second diagonal edge extends upward into a third vertical segment that makes up a second surface that forms the slit near a fourth segment, wherein the fourth segment that is rectangular in shape is connected to and rearward of the third segment, a fifth segment that is semioval in shape is connected to and rearward of the fourth segment, wherein a second curve of the fifth segment faces rearward.
 10. The head protection device of claim 9 wherein the first segment, the second segment, the third segment, the fourth segment, and the fifth segment have a plurality of apertures for increased airflow.
 11. The head protection device of claim 9, wherein the head protection device has an outer hard shell and a soft inner shell and a second soft inner shell.
 12. A head protection device for a hat comprising a plurality of segments with a covering segment of the plurality of segments with a first segment conformed to provide protection of a temple area by allowing a zygomatic arch and an upper temporal area of a skull to absorb impact of a ball striking directly on the temple area.
 13. The head protection device of claim 12, further comprising an outer hard shell, an inner soft shell, and a second inner soft shell.
 14. The head protection device of claim 13, wherein the first segment is connected to a first rectangular segment at a first end a second rectangular segment at a second end opposite of the first end.
 15. The head protection device of claim 14, wherein the first rectangular segment is connected to a first semioval segment.
 16. The head protection device of claim 15, wherein the second rectangular segment is connected a second semioval segment.
 17. The head protection device of claim 12 wherein the plurality of segments have a plurality of apertures for increased airflow.
 18. The head protection device of claim 13, wherein the inner soft shell covers an entirety of the outer hard shell, wherein the second inner soft shell covers the entirety of the outer hard shell except for a portion under a hat band of the hat.
 19. The head protection device of claim 18, wherein the head protection device has a third inner soft shell that has two strips of foam positioned at a bottom of the first segment and near a top of the head protection device.
 20. The head protection device of claim 12, further comprising a second covering segment mirroring the covering segment wherein the second covering segment is positioned opposite of the covering segment to protect an opposite temple area. 